That's a good point. There's certainly a marked difference in his pre- and post-breakdown writing, the dividing line being the late 1967 post-Piper sessions that produced Apples & Oranges (another whimsical ditty like the early stuff), Vegetable Man & Scream thy last scream (previews of some directions he'd explore in solo work)Wolfpack wrote: In recent years I've began to think that Barrett's days in Pink Floyd were numbered from the beginning. I think his breakdown might also have caused by having used most of his inspiration for two hit singles and 'The Piper'. A lot of later inspiration seem to have come from that breakdown, with songs like 'Jugband Blues' and 'Octopus'.
I think the best way to keep Syd's muse going would have been a suitable collaborator - Whether it's Richard Wright, or a newly-recruited David Gilmour, or Kevin Ayers or whoever - SOMEONE who can connect with Syd and help him to stay connected with his inner muse.